Background: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a behavioral disorder that can be detected via two methods, including active and passive screening. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of screening strategies of HIV/AIDS among injection drug users (IDUs) referring to the voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) center and drop-in center (DIC) of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This was a cross-sectional cost-effectiveness analysis to compare the cost-effectiveness of the two active and passive screening methods in 2015. The decision tree model, along with the TreeAge11 software, was used to analyze the data. Results: The averages of cost and effectiveness were $989 and 987 subjects in the active screening method while they were $1,767 and 209 subjects in the passive screening method, respectively. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) to early-diagnosed and averted cases was $855/39 for the active screening method and $1528/90 for the passive screening method. According to the findings of the study, the active screening method is more cost-effective than its passive counterpart. Conclusions: According to the findings of the study, the active screening method is more cost-effective than its passive counterpart, and it is recommended to be used in these cases.
Cost-Effectiveness of Active Screening for Early Identification of HIV in Injection Drug Users